Terminal device, information processing method and program

ABSTRACT

A terminal device includes: a determination unit that determines whether a user intends to use a non-contact reception function based on information indicating a state of a terminal device to output a determination result; and a display unit that displays a mark to be used for alignment between the terminal device and the opposed device based on the determination result.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a terminal device, an informationprocessing method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

Technologies utilizing non-contact reception functions such asnon-contact communication between a non-contact integration circuit (IC)and a reader/writer using radio frequency identification (RFID)technology, infrared communication between mobile phones, and a wirelesspower feeding process of supplying energy to a battery of a smartphonehave become widespread. For example, the technologies utilizing thenon-contact reception functions are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to3.

Using the technology utilizing the non-contact communication which is anexample of the non-contact reception function, a user can smoothly passthrough a ticket gate of a station and board an electric train bybringing a card having a non-contact IC close to the reader/writer atthe ticket gate.

Using the technology utilizing the infrared communication, which is onenon-contact reception function, a user can exchange information such asa mail address by juxtaposing mobile phones such that they can performinfrared communication.

Using the technology utilizing the wireless power feeding, which is onenon-contact reception function, a user can charge a battery of his orher mobile phone without use of a power cord.

However, there is directivity in radio waves for use in the non-contactreception functions such as the non-contact communication, the infraredcommunication, and the wireless power feeding and there is a limit in acommunicable range. Thus, alignment is necessary between a terminaldevice to be handled by the user and an opposed device which is a targetof the non-contact reception function to be performed by the terminaldevice.

When the terminal device performs the infrared communication with theopposed device in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, aradiation position mark indicating a radiation direction of infraredlight is displayed on a screen of the terminal device and alignment forthe opposed device is performed based on the mark.

When communication is performed between the non-contact IC mounted onthe terminal device and the opposed device in the technology of PatentDocument 2, the alignment of the terminal device for the opposed deviceis performed and communication is initiated when the two devices enter acommunicable area.

In the technology of Patent Document 3, a posture of the terminal deviceis sensed and non-contact IC power supply is cut off according to theposture. Thereby, an operation is limited so that the terminal devicedoes not respond even when the reader/writer is close and security isimproved.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Document [Patent Document 1]

-   Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.    2007-53424

[Patent Document 2]

-   Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.    2007-300579

[Patent Document 3]

-   Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.    2008-92304

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the technology of the above-described Patent Document 1, the userconsciously performs selection of using the non-contact receptionfunction. In response to a user operation, a mark serving as anindication of alignment of the terminal device with the opposed devicewhen alignment of the terminal device with the opposed device isperformed is displayed on the display unit.

Thus, in the case where the user uses the technology of Patent Document1, when the terminal device is aligned with the opposed device, it isnecessary for the user to consciously perform a certain operation tocause the mark serving as the indication of the alignment to bedisplayed on a screen of the terminal device.

Therefore, there is a problem in that convenience is degraded when theuser performs the alignment of the terminal device with the opposeddevice.

In the technology of the above-described Patent Document 2, it isdetermined that the terminal device has entered the communicable areawith the opposed device according to a size of a target mark depicted onan antenna installation surface in the opposed device.

Thus, the terminal device needs to record information about of a shapeor size of the target mark on the storage unit in advance. As a result,there is a problem in that the technology of the above-described PatentDocument 2 is not available when an opposed device is being used for thefirst time and the shape or size of the target mark is unknown.

The technology disclosed in the above-described Patent Document 3 is nottechnology for performing alignment of the terminal device with theopposed device when communication between the non-contact IC mounted onthe terminal device and the opposed device is performed.

The technology disclosed in Patent Document 3 is technology for sensinga posture of the terminal device and cutting off the non-contact ICpower supply according to the posture. That is, the technology disclosedin Patent Document 3 is not technology for sensing the posture of theterminal device and automatically performing a display of the markserving as the indication of alignment on the screen of the terminaldevice.

Thus, even when the technology of Patent Document 3 is applied to thetechnology of Patent Documents 1 or 2, it is impossible to solve theproblem that convenience is degraded when the user performs thealignment of the terminal device with the opposed device.

An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a terminaldevice, an information processing method, and a program capable ofsolving the above-described problem.

Means for Solving the Problem

A terminal device according to an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention includes: a determination unit that determines whether a userintends to use a non-contact reception function based on informationindicating a state of a terminal device to output a determinationresult; and a display unit that displays a mark to be used for alignmentbetween the terminal device and the opposed device based on thedetermination result.

An information processing method according to an exemplary aspect of thepresent invention includes: determining whether a user intends to use anon-contact reception function based on information indicating a stateof a terminal device to output a determination result; and displaying amark to be used for alignment between the terminal device and an opposeddevice based on the determination result.

A program according to an exemplary aspect of the present inventioncauses a computer of a terminal device to function as: a determinationunit that determines whether a user intends to use a non-contactreception function based on information indicating a state of theterminal device to output a determination result; and a display unitthat displays a mark to be used for alignment between the terminaldevice and an opposed device based on the determination result.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, without a user consciouslyperforming a user operation, a mark serving as an indication ofalignment is displayed on a screen of a terminal device and alignment ofthe terminal device with an opposed device can be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a minimum configuration ofa terminal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of aterminal device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of an exterior of the terminaldevice according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of an exterior of the terminaldevice according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a processing outline of the terminal deviceaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a processing outline of the terminal deviceaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit when auser performs alignment of the terminal device and an opposed device, inthe terminal device according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the terminal deviceaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration when aposture detection function of the terminal device according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the posture detectionfunction of the terminal device according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of aterminal device according to a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first display example of a display unitprovided in the terminal device according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second display example of the displayunit provided in the terminal device according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the terminal deviceaccording to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration when aposture detection function of the terminal device according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of aterminal device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the terminal deviceaccording to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit in theterminal device according to the third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a minimum configuration ofa terminal device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 1 includes at least anon-contact unit 2, a use intention determination unit (hereinaftersometimes simply referred to as a “determination unit”) 3, and a displayunit 4.

The non-contact unit 2 includes a non-contact IC, and the non-contactunit 2 is a functional unit for receiving either or both of a signal andenergy from an opposed device 11 which is a target of a non-contactreception function. In addition, the non-contact unit 2 is a functionalunit for transmitting either or both of a signal and energy to theopposed device 11. The non-contact reception function is a function ofreceiving either or both of a signal and energy in a non-contact manner.

The determination unit 3 is a functional unit for determining whether auser intends to use the non-contact reception function based on a stateof the terminal device 1. The determination unit 3 acquires informationI indicating the state of the terminal device 1.

The display unit 4 is a functional unit for providing the user withinformation necessary for alignment between the terminal device 1 andthe opposed device 11 when the non-contact reception function is used.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of theterminal device 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

The terminal device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention includes functional units of the non-contact unit 2, ause intention determination unit 3, a display unit 4, a proximitydetection unit 5, a photographing unit 6, and a storage unit 10 as shownin FIG. 2. The functional units of the determination unit 3, theproximity detection unit 5, and the photographing unit 6 are configuredin the terminal device 1A by control unit (for example, CPU) of theterminal device 1 executing a program, for example.

The non-contact unit 2 is a functional unit by which the terminal device1 receives the signal or energy from the opposed device 11 which is atarget of the non-contact reception function. In addition, thenon-contact unit 2 is a functional unit for transmitting the signal orenergy to the opposed device 11.

The determination unit 3 is a functional unit for determining whetherthe user intends to use the non-contact reception function based on thestate of the terminal device 1.

At the time of alignment between the terminal device 1 and the opposeddevice 11 when the non-contact function is used, the display unit 4displays a non-contact unit mark 2 b and an image captured by thephotographing unit 6. The non-contact unit mark 2 b is a virtualposition of the non-contact unit 2.

The display unit 4, for example, may be an electrostatic capacitivetouch panel. The display unit 4 has a function of performing display bya liquid crystal display (LCD, liquid crystal display device), anorganic EL display, or the like and a function as an electrostaticcapacitive sensor for sensing information of a screen position inproximity to or in contact with a hand, a pen, or the like.

The terminal device 1 may have a function of prompting the user to movethe terminal device 1 using a speaker or the like.

The proximity detection unit 5 is a functional unit for detecting anarea in proximity to or in contact with a body for the terminal device1.

The proximity detection unit 5, for example, may be a large number ofelectrostatic capacitive sensors installed on the surface of the displayunit 4. The proximity detection unit 5 may use an electrostaticcapacitive sensor of the display unit 4. The proximity detection unit 5may be provided on an outer frame of the display unit 4. The proximitydetection unit 5 compares each of electrostatic capacitance values of aplurality of electrostatic capacitive sensors to a predeterminedthreshold value. Then, the proximity detection unit 5 detects an area ofa hand of the user in proximity to or in contact with the terminaldevice 1 based on an area of the display unit 4 including theelectrostatic capacitive sensors indicating a value exceeding thethreshold value.

The photographing unit 6 is a functional unit for photographing a targetmark 121 or the like and outputting the photographed image data to thedisplay unit 4. The target mark 121 indicates a position of anon-contact unit 12 provided in the opposed device 11.

The storage unit 10 stores various types of necessary information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the opposed device 11 according to this exemplaryembodiment includes functional units of the non-contact unit 12 and acontrol unit 13. By the control unit 13 executing the program, variousnecessary functional units are configured in the opposed device 11.

The non-contact unit 12 is a functional unit for receiving either orboth of the signal and the energy from the terminal device 1. Inaddition, the non-contact unit 12 is functional unit for transmittingeither or both of the signal and the energy to the terminal device 1.The non-contact unit 12, for example, may be configured by a non-contactcommunication antenna.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of the exterior of theterminal device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A is an exterior diagram of a front surface of the terminal device1. FIG. 3B is an exterior diagram of a rear surface of the terminaldevice 1.

In this exemplary embodiment, the non-contact unit 2 is disposed insidethe terminal device 1 on a slightly upper side of the center of the rearsurface, in a manner such as a position of a dashed star indicated inFIG. 3B. However, the layout of the non-contact unit 2 is not limitedthereto.

In this exemplary embodiment, the photographing unit 6 is disposed at anupper left position when the terminal device 1 is viewed from the rearsurface. However, the layout of the photographing unit 6 is not limitedthereto.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a processing outline of theterminal device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a state in which the photographing unit 6 ispositioned directly above a target mark 121 marked in a surface S of theopposed device 11 when the terminal device 1 and the opposed device 11are viewed from directly therebeside. FIG. 4B shows a display example ofa non-contact unit mark 2 b in the display unit 4.

As showing in FIG. 4A, a photographing region A1 photographed by thephotographing unit 6 of the terminal device 1 is a region in which aposition at which a center line L1 of a photographing range of thephotographing unit 6 and the surface S of the opposed device 11 meet isset as a center o1. The display unit 4 displays an image in which thecenter o1 of the photographing region A1 is positioned in a center o2 ofthe display unit 4.

The terminal device 1 includes the non-contact unit 2 as describedabove. A position of the non-contact unit 2 provided in the terminaldevice 1 and a position o4 of the photographing unit 6 provided in theterminal device 1 are separated by a distance X1 in a horizontaldirection of the terminal device 1 and a distance Y1 in a verticaldirection of the terminal device 1. Accordingly, in a state in whichphotographing has been performed so that the target mark 121 ispositioned in the center o1 of the photographing region A1, the positionof the target mark 121 is a position corresponding to the position o4 ofthe photographing unit 6. That is, in this state, there is no targetmark 121 at a position corresponding to (facing) the position of thenon-contact unit 2. Therefore, in this state, communication with theopposed device 11 is difficult or communication efficiency of thenon-contact reception function is degraded because it is separated fromthe opposed device 11.

Therefore, the terminal device 1 in this exemplary embodiment displaysthe non-contact unit mark 2 b at a correction position moved by adistance −X1 in the horizontal direction and a distance −Y1 in thevertical direction from the actual position of the non-contact unit 2.

By displaying the non-contact unit mark 2 b in this manner, the actualposition of the non-contact unit 2 matches the position of the targetmark 121 when the user aligns the non-contact unit mark 2 b and thetarget mark 121.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 4 whenthe user performs alignment of the terminal device 1 and the opposeddevice 11 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 4 displays the target mark 121serving as the indication of the alignment at the correction position.

At this time, the display unit 4 superimposes and displays thenon-contact unit mark 2 b provided in the terminal device 1 on an imageof the opposed device 11 photographed by the photographing unit 6.

The display unit 4 displays the non-contact unit mark 2 b only when thedetermination unit 3 determines that the user intends to use thenon-contact reception function.

The user can perform the alignment of the terminal device 1 and theopposed device 11 by moving the terminal device 1 so that thenon-contact unit mark 2 b displayed by the display unit 4 issuperimposed on the target mark of the opposed device 11 on the displayunit 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the terminal device 1according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Next, a processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to theexemplary embodiment will be described with reference to an example inwhich the user pays money at the time of shopping using the terminaldevice 1 such as a smartphone provided with an electronic moneyfunction. The electronic money function uses non-contact communicationwhich is an example of a non-contact reception function.

When the user purchases a product, payment can be performed by theterminal device 1 equipped with the electronic money function using thenon-contact reception function.

When the payment for the product is performed by the terminal device 1,the user first brings his or her hand close to the terminal device 1 sothat the terminal device 1 is used in payment for the purchase of theproduct. Then, the user holds the terminal device 1 in his or her handand brings the non-contact unit 2 in the terminal device 1 close to theopposed device 11 such as a reader/writer installed in an accountingdevice.

During that time, the proximity detection unit 5 in the terminal device1 detects an extent of an area in which the hand close to the terminaldevice 1 covers a predetermined region excluding the non-contact unit 2of the terminal device 1 or an extent of an area in which the hand is incontact with the predetermined region (step S1).

As a specific example, the case in which the terminal device 1 is asmartphone will be described. In this case, a plurality of electrostaticcapacitive sensors of a touch panel, which is an example of the displayunit 4, detect a position at which the user's hand covers the touchpanel. The proximity detection unit 5 compares a value of each ofelectrostatic capacitances of the plurality of electrostatic capacitivesensors to a predetermined threshold value. Then, the proximitydetection unit 5 calculates a percent of an area of the touch panel(display unit 4) including the electrostatic capacitive sensorindicating a value exceeding the threshold value for an area of theoverall touch panel.

The proximity detection unit 5 outputs the detected area information tothe determination unit 3 (step S2).

The determination unit 3 receives an input of the area informationdetected by the proximity detection unit 5. The determination unit 3determines whether the covered or contacted area is greater than orequal to a predetermined area based on the area information (step S3).

The determination unit 3 determines that the user intends to use thenon-contact reception function when it determines that the covered orcontacted area is greater than or equal to the predetermined area (forstep S4).

When the determination unit 3 determines that the covered or contactedarea is not greater than or equal to the predetermined area, itdetermines that the user does not intend to use the non-contactreception function and stands by until the next determination on an areadetected by the detection unit 5 (returning to step S1).

Accordingly, when the user holds the terminal device 1 in his or herhand and performs an action of bringing the non-contact unit mark 2 bdisplayed on the display unit 4 of the terminal device 1 close to thetarget mark 121 of the opposed device 11, the determination unit 3determines that the user intends to use the non-contact receptionfunction at some timing of the user's action.

When the determination unit 3 determines that the user intends to usethe non-contact reception function, it outputs a photographing signalfor instructing the photographing unit 6 to start photographing to thephotographing unit 6 so that the user can identify a position of thetarget mark 121 in the opposed device 11 (step S4).

The photographing unit 6 starts the photographing in response to aninput of the photographing signal (step S5).

The photographing unit 6 outputs the photographed image data to thedisplay unit 4 (step S6).

When the display unit 4 receives an input of the image data, it displaysan image based on the image data (step S7).

When the determination unit 3 determines that the user intends to usethe non-contact reception function, the non-contact unit mark 2 b in theterminal device 1 is displayed at a correction position of the displayunit 4 in preparation for alignment of the terminal device 1 and theopposed device 11 to be performed by the user so as to use thenon-contact reception function (step S8).

The user horizontally moves a relative position of the terminal device 1for the opposed device 11 while viewing an image displayed by thedisplay unit 4, and performs alignment so that the non-contact unit mark2 b in the display unit 4 and the target mark 121 are superimposed.

The user performs this alignment so that the terminal device 1 and theopposed device 11 can mutually use the non-contact reception function.The terminal device 1 receives and supplies either or both of a signaland energy with the opposed device 11 via the non-contact unit 2 (stepS9).

Then, an accounting process is performed between the terminal device 1and the accounting device based on a total amount of money for theproduct to be purchased by the user displayed on the accounting device.

Specifically, first, the opposed device 11 reads the total amount ofmoney displayed on the accounting device. Then, for example, the userbrings the terminal device 1 close to the opposed device 11 andcommunication of the above-described step S9 is performed. Then, theopposed device 11 outputs to the terminal device 1 a subtraction signalfor subtracting the total amount of money read from the accountingdevice from the remainder stored in the storage unit 10 included in theterminal device 1. When the terminal device 1 receives an input of thesubtraction signal, it subtracts the total amount of money from theremainder stored by in storage unit 10 and stores the remainder afterthe subtraction in the storage unit 10.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration when aposture detection function of the terminal device 1 according to thefirst exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used.

The posture detection unit 7 is a functional unit for detecting ahorizontal or vertical posture or the like of the terminal device 1 andoutputting the detection result to the determination unit 3. The posturedetection unit 7, for example, may be configured by an accelerationsensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the posture detectionfunction of the terminal device 1 according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is used.

The determination unit 3 may determine whether the user intends to usethe non-contact reception function based on the posture detected by theposture detection unit 7 along with a result of area detection by theproximity detection unit 5.

As a specific example, the case in which the user brings the terminaldevice 1 horizontally close to the opposed device 11 so as to pay moneyfor a product using electronic money to a shop will be described. Inthis case, after the above-described process of steps S1 to S3 isperformed, the user brings the terminal device 1 horizontally close tothe opposed device 11 and horizontally maintains the terminal device 1for a predetermined time for alignment. At this time, the posturedetection unit 7 detects an angle of the terminal device 1 with respectto the horizontal level periodically (for example, for every 0.1 sec),and outputs a detection result of the angle with respect to thehorizontal level to the determination unit (step S21).

The determination unit 3 receives an input of the detection result ofthe angle from the posture detection unit 7. The determination unit 3determines whether the terminal device 1 is horizontally maintained fora predetermined time based on the detection result of the angle (stepS22).

When the determination unit 3 determines that the terminal device 1 ishorizontally maintained for the predetermined time, the process of stepsS4 to S9 is performed.

When the determination unit 3 determines that the terminal device 1 isnot horizontally maintained for the predetermined time, the processreturns to step S1.

A specific example of the processing flow of determining whether theuser intends to use the non-contact reception function indicated insteps S2 to S22 of FIG. 8 will be described.

For example, the determination unit 3 sets a threshold value to be usedto determine whether the user intends to use the non-contact receptionfunction based on a result of area detection by the proximity detectionunit 5 at 25% of the overall area of the touch panel (display unit 4).In addition, the determination unit 3 sets the threshold value fordetermining whether the user intends to use the non-contact receptionfunction based on the result of angle detection by the posture detectionunit 7 to a holding time of 2 sec within an angle of 10 degrees withrespect to the horizontal level.

As a specific example, when the user brings the terminal device 1 closeto the opposed device 11 so as to pay the electronic money to a shop,the proximity detection unit 5 detects that a body covers 30% of thetouch panel which is the display unit 4 of the terminal device 1 andoutputs a detection result to the determination unit 3 (step S2).

The determination unit 3 compares the detection result (that is, 30%) ofthe proximity detection unit 5 to the threshold value (that is, 25%). Asa result, the determination unit 3 determines that the detection resultof the proximity detection unit 5 is greater than the threshold value(step S3).

Next, as a specific example, the posture detection unit 7 detects thatthe terminal device 1 has maintained its posture for 2 sec at the anglefrom 5 degrees to 8 degrees with respect to the horizontal level. Duringthe detection, the posture detection unit 7, for example, outputs thedetection result every 0.1 second (step S21).

The determination unit 3 receives an input of a detection result forevery 0.1 sec from the posture detection unit 7. The determination unit3 compares the detection results to the threshold value (that is, anangle of 10 degrees). Then, when the comparison result indicating thatthe detection result is less than the threshold value continues 20 times(2 sec), the determination unit 3 determines that the user intends touse the non-contact reception function (step S22).

The processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to the firstexemplary embodiment has been described above. According to theabove-described process of the terminal device 1, the non-contact unitmark 2 b is displayed at a correction position of the display unit 4depending on a state of the terminal device 1. Thus, the user can causethe mark serving as the indication of the alignment to be displayed onthe screen of the terminal device and can easily perform alignment ofthe terminal device with the opposed device without consciouslyperforming a user operation.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of aterminal device 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 9 is a block diagram in whicha display correction unit 8 and an image processing unit 9 are added tothe functional block representing the configuration of the terminaldevice 1 in the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

The display correction unit 8 is a functional unit for processing datato perform display on the display unit 4 so that a center o3 of theimage representing a center o1 of a photographing region matches anactual position o4 of the photographing unit 6 when the display unit 4displays an image captured by the photographing unit 6.

The image processing unit 9 is a functional unit for combining imagescaptured by the photographing unit 6 and outputting data thereof to thedisplay unit 4.

By a control unit executing a program, the functional units of thedisplay correction unit 8 and the image processing unit 9 are configuredin the terminal device 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example 1 of the display unit 4provided in the terminal device 1 according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the center o2 of the display unit 4 and theposition o4 of the photographing unit 6 are separated by a distance X2in a horizontal direction of the terminal device 1 and a distance Y2 ina vertical direction of the terminal device 1. In this exemplaryembodiment, the display correction unit 8 performs a process ofhorizontally moving original image data and displaying it on the displayunit 4 so as to perform display on the display unit 4 such that thecenter o3 of the image matches the actual position o4 of thephotographing unit 6 using the distance X2 and the distance Y2.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the display unit 4 displays thenon-contact unit mark 2 b at the position of the display unit 4 whichfalls directly behind the non-contact unit 2.

By performing the display in this manner, the center o3 of the imagecaptured by the photographing unit 6 matches the position o4 of thephotographing unit 6. At this time, a region of the image displayed bythe display unit 4 is an actually captured image display regionindicated by a rectangular region a of a dashed line. A virtuallycaptured image display region indicated by a region b in the displayunit 4 is a region in which there is no image information. The size ofthe virtually captured image display region varies according to a sizeof the actually captured image display region. In the virtually capturedimage display region, for example, only the color white may bedisplayed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example 2 of the display unit 4provided in the terminal device 1 according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a display example of an image displayed on the displayunit 4 when the user has moved the terminal device 1 in a direction ofan arrow.

In FIG. 11, the terminal device 1 indicated by a dotted line is theterminal device 1 before movement. In FIG. 11, the terminal device 1indicated by a solid line is the terminal device 1 after the movement.

When the user has moved the terminal device 1 in the direction of thearrow in a situation in which the display unit 4 displays the region aand the region b for the photographing region A2 of the photographingunit 6 shown in FIG. 10, the photographing unit 6 newly photographs aphotographing region A3. Then, the photographing unit 6 outputs thephotographed image data to the image processing unit 9.

The image processing unit 9 receives an input of the image data obtainedby the photographing of the photographing unit 6. The image processingunit 9 combines image data (image data of a region al) newly obtained byphotographing of the photographing unit 6 after the user moves theterminal device 1 with image data (image data of the region a) obtainedby previous photographing. The image processing unit 9 outputs thecombined image data to the display unit 4. In FIG. 11, the virtuallycaptured image display region is a region b1 in the display unit 4. Theimage processing unit 9 repeats this process periodically (for example,for every 0.2 sec). At this time, when the terminal device 1 has beenmoved to cover the already photographed region, the virtually capturedimage display region becomes smaller than the region b1. Then, everytime the input of the image data is received, the display unit 4displays its image. Then, the user identifies a position of the targetmark 121 while viewing the image displayed by the display unit 4 andperforms alignment of the terminal device 1 and the opposed device 11.

A well-known technology may be used for combining of image data to beperformed by the image processing unit 9. For example, a feature objectsuch as an appearance or the target mark 121 of the opposed device 11common between immediately previous image data obtained by photographingof the photographing unit 6 and image data newly obtained byphotographing may be extracted, and image data may be combined based onthe feature object.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the terminal device 1according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Next, as with the case of the terminal device 1 according to the firstexemplary embodiment, a processing flow of the terminal device 1according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to an example in which the user pays money using the terminaldevice 1 such as a smartphone provided with an electronic money functionat the time of shopping.

Except for steps S10 to S15 and step S21 in the processing flow of theterminal device 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, it is the same as the processing flow of the terminaldevice 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, steps S10 to S15 and step S21 in the processing flow of theterminal device 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described.

After the process of steps S1 to S5 is performed as in the processingflow of the terminal device 1 according to the first exemplaryembodiment, image data obtained by photographing of the photographingunit 6 is output to the display correction unit 8 (step S10).

The display correction unit 8 receives an input of the image data. Thedisplay correction unit 8 horizontally moves an image based on the imagedata by a distance X2 in the horizontal direction of the terminal device1 and a distance Y2 in the vertical direction which are distancedifferences between the center of the display unit 4 and the center ofthe photographing unit 6, and generates a new image (step S11).

The display correction unit 8 stores image data of the newly generatedimage in the storage unit 10 (step S12). The display correction unit 8outputs the newly generated image data to the image processing unit 9(step S13).

The image processing unit 9 receives an input of the image data newlygenerated by the display correction unit 8. The image processing unit 9extracts an image of a feature object common between the newly generatedimage data and image data previously generated and stored in the storageunit 10, and connects (combines) the two images data based on the imageof the feature object (step S14).

The image processing unit 9 stores the connected (combined) image datain the storage unit 10 (step S15).

As in the processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to thefirst exemplary embodiment, the process of step S7 is performed.

The display unit 4 displays the non-contact unit mark 2 b at a positioncorresponding to an actual position of the non-contact unit 2 on thedisplay unit 4 (step S21).

As in the processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to thefirst exemplary embodiment, the process of step S9 is performed.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration when aposture detection function of the terminal device 1 according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used.

As in the first exemplary embodiment, the posture detection unit 7 maybe an acceleration sensor. In this case, the image processing unit 9 mayuse a movement distance and a movement direction of the terminal device1 obtained from the acceleration detected by the posture detection unit7 as information for combining image data. In addition, the user may usethe movement distance and the movement direction of the terminal device1 obtained from the acceleration detected by the posture detection unit7 as information for alignment of the terminal device 1 and the opposeddevice 11.

The processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to the secondexemplary embodiment has been described above. According to theabove-described process of the terminal device 1, it is possible toperform alignment of the terminal device 1 and the opposed device 11even for the terminal device 1 for which it is difficult to find thetarget mark 121 within the display unit 4.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of aterminal device 1 according to a third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 14 is a block diagram inwhich a position calculation unit 14 is added to the functional blockindicating the configuration of the terminal device 1 in the firstexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

In the configuration of the terminal device 1 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment, the posture detection unit 7, for example, may bean acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor is used to measure amovement distance or direction when the user has moved the terminaldevice 1.

In the configuration of the terminal device 1 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment, the position calculation unit 14 is a functionalunit for calculating the movement distance or direction from when a basepoint position (home position) has been decided using a detection resultdetected by the posture detection unit 7 (details will be describedlater).

By a control unit executing the program, the functional unit of theposition calculation unit 14 is configured in the terminal device 1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the terminal device 1according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As in the terminal device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment,the processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment will be described with reference to an example inwhich the user pays money using the terminal device 1 provided with anelectronic money function using a non-contact reception function at thetime of shopping.

Except for steps S16 to S20 in the processing flow of the terminaldevice 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, it is the same as that of the terminal device 1 according tothe first exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, steps S16 to S20 in the processing flow of the terminaldevice 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will be described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 4 ofthe terminal device 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

As in FIG. 4A, FIG. 16 shows a display example of the display unit 4 ina state in which the user has moved the photographing unit 6 provided inthe terminal device 1 directly above the target mark 121 on a surface Sof the opposed device 11.

First, the processing flow of the terminal device 1 of the thirdexemplary embodiment performs the process of steps S1 to S5 as in thefirst exemplary embodiment. Next, the user moves the terminal device 1until the target mark 121 reaches a predetermined position of aphotographing region A4 of the photographing unit 6. As a specificexample, the user moves the terminal device 1 to a position at which thetarget mark 121 stays at the center of the photographing unit 6 as shownin FIG. 16.

Then, the user, for example, performs an operation of setting theposition to a base point position according to a user operation such asan operation of touching the display unit 4. According to the useroperation, the position calculation unit 14 of the terminal device 1receives an input of a signal for recognizing the base point position asa calculation reference from the display unit 4. Next, the positioncalculation unit 14 starts detection of the movement state of theterminal device 1 (step S16).

At this time, positions of the photographing unit 6 provided in theterminal device 1 and the target mark 121 become positions at which theyrelatively face each other. In addition, a positional relationshipbetween the photographing unit 6 and the non-contact unit 2 in theterminal device 1 is physically known. Accordingly, the user physicallymoves the terminal device 1 so that the non-contact unit 2 at thecurrent time reaches a position of the photographing unit 6 at thecurrent time as indicated by an arrow R (an offset between thenon-contact unit 2 and the photographing unit 6) in FIG. 16. That is, ifthe user moves the terminal device 1 by a distance X3 in the horizontaldirection and a distance Y3 in the vertical direction, the non-contactunit 2 and the target mark 121 are positioned to relatively face eachother.

Accordingly, after the base point position is decided in step S16, thedisplay unit 4 of the terminal device 1 instructs the user to move theterminal device 1 by the distance X3 in the horizontal direction and thedistance Y3 in the vertical direction based on a calculation result ofthe position calculation unit 14.

Therefore, the posture detection unit 7, which is an acceleration sensorfor example, detects the acceleration in movement for alignment of theterminal device 1 by the user and outputs the detection result of theacceleration to the position calculation unit 14 (step S17).

The position calculation unit 14 receives an input of the detectionresult of the acceleration from the posture detection unit 7. Theposition calculation unit 14, for example, calculates the distance basedon the detection result of the acceleration by integrating theacceleration twice (step S18). The position calculation unit 14 outputsthe calculation result to the display unit 4 (step S19).

The display unit 4 receives an input of the calculation result from theposition calculation unit 14. The display unit 4, for example, indicatesthe movement direction of the terminal device 1 and its movementdistance by numerical values and displays a movement instruction of theterminal device 1 for the user (step S20). A program necessary for thisdisplay is stored in the storage unit 10 in advance.

The display unit 4 may display and indicate the movement direction by anarrow in real time while the user moves the terminal device 1.

The position calculation unit 14 may read information in which movementdata stored in the storage unit 10 is associated with instruction datasuch as audio data and output audio data associated with movementcorresponding to a calculation result to a speaker of the display unit 4or the like, and the display unit 4 may instruct the user to move theterminal device 1 by audio based on the audio data.

Then, in the processing flow of the terminal device 1 of the thirdexemplary embodiment, the process of step S9 is performed as in thefirst exemplary embodiment.

The processing flow of the terminal device 1 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment has been described above. According to theabove-described process of the terminal device 1, the user can cause thenon-contact unit 2 and the target mark 121 to face each other if theterminal device 1 is moved according to an instruction displayed on thedisplay unit 4. As a result, it is possible to perform alignment of theterminal device 1 and the opposed device 11.

In the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention,some or all of the functions other than the non-contact receptionfunction of the terminal device 1 may be temporarily stopped when thedetermination unit 3 determines that the user intends to use thenon-contact reception function.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention,when the determination unit 3 determines that the user intends to usethe non-contact reception function, the reception of an operation inputthat is input from outside of the device (the terminal device 1) may belimited.

A computer system may be provided inside the terminal devices accordingto the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Aprocess of the above-described processing may be stored in acomputer-readable recording medium 70 in the form of a program, and theabove-described process may be performed when the computer reads andexecutes the program. The computer-readable recording medium 70 includesa magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disc, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, asemiconductor memory, or the like. The computer program may bedistributed to the computer through a communication line, and thecomputer receiving the distribution may execute the program.

The above-described program may be used to implement some of theabove-described functions.

The above-described program may be a so-called differential file(differential program) capable of implementing the above-describedfunctions in combination with a program already stored in the computersystem.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to theexemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to theabove-described exemplary embodiments. Various modifications that can beappreciated by those skilled in the art may be made to the configurationor details of the present invention within the scope of the presentinvention.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese patent application No. 2012-226498, filed Oct. 12, 2012, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a terminal device, an informationprocessing method, and a program.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   1 Terminal device    -   2, 12 Non-contact unit    -   2 b Non-contact unit mark    -   3 Use intention determination unit    -   4 Display unit    -   5 Proximity detection unit    -   6 Photographing unit    -   7 Posture detection unit    -   8 Display correction unit    -   9 Image processing unit    -   10 Storage unit    -   11 Opposed device    -   13 Control unit    -   14 Position calculation unit    -   121 Target mark    -   A1, A2, A3, A4 Photographing region    -   o1 Center of photographing region A1    -   o2 Center of display unit 4    -   o3 Center of image    -   o4 Position of photographing unit 6

What is claimed is:
 1. A terminal device comprising: a determinationunit that determines whether a user intends to use a non-contactreception function based on information indicating a state of a terminaldevice to output a determination result; and a display unit thatdisplays a mark to be used for alignment between the terminal device andan opposed device based on the determination result.
 2. The terminaldevice according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection unit thatdetects an area in proximity to or in contact with a body of the userwith respect to a predetermined region and outputs informationindicating the detected area as the information indicating the state ofthe terminal device to the determination unit, wherein the determinationunit compares the detected area to a threshold value to determinewhether the user intends to use the non-contact reception function. 3.The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: aphotographing unit that captures an image; and a non-contact unit thatreceives and supplies at least one of a signal and an energy from and tothe opposed device in a non-contact manner based on the determinationresult, wherein the display unit corrects a display position of the markbased on a distance between a position of the non-contact unit and aposition of the photographing unit and displays the mark in thecorrected display position.
 4. The terminal device according to claim 1,further comprising: a photographing unit that captures at least firstand second images; a display correction unit that moves the first imageso that a center of the first image is aligned with a position of thephotographing unit; and an image processing unit that combines the movedfirst image with the second image to obtain an image, wherein thedisplay unit displays the image obtained by the image processing unit.5. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: aposture detection unit that detects movement of the terminal device tooutput a detection result; and a position calculation unit thatcalculates at least one of a movement distance of the terminal deviceand a movement direction of the terminal device from a base pointposition using the detection result.
 6. The terminal device according toclaim 1, wherein the determination unit temporarily stops at least somefunctions of the terminal device excluding the non-contact receptionfunction when the determination unit determines that the user intends touse the non-contact reception function.
 7. The terminal device accordingto claim 1, wherein the determination unit limits reception of anoperation input from outside of the terminal device when thedetermination unit determines that the user intends to use thenon-contact reception function.
 8. The terminal device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a non-contact unit that receives andsupplies at least one of a signal and an energy from and to the opposeddevice in a non-contact manner based on the determination result.
 9. Aninformation processing method comprising: determining whether a userintends to use a non-contact reception function based on informationindicating a state of a terminal device to output a determinationresult; and displaying a mark to be used for alignment between theterminal device and an opposed device based on the determination result.10. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing programthat causes a computer of a terminal device to function as: adetermination unit that determines whether a user intends to use anon-contact reception function based on information indicating a stateof the terminal device to output a determination result; and a displayunit that displays a mark to be used for alignment between the terminaldevice and an opposed device based on the determination result.